Chinese teens taking cabbages for walks to get over loneliness

Teens in China are walking cabbages to get over depression (Picture: CEN)

Walking a cabbage is better than walking a dog because they don’t bark, according to someone who has decided to do just that.

The vegetables are being taken for walkies by teenagers in China as a way to get over depression and loneliness.

The youngsters are able to meet other people who also walk the green foods.

Chinese psychiatrist Wen Chao said: ‘The idea is simple – you feel as lonely and as simple as a cabbage, so you begin to act like one and befriend one.

‘And in that acceptance comes change.’

The sight of people pulling cabbages down the street has surprised many, but Lui Ja Chen, 17, defended the pastime and said it had helped him.

‘I feel I can transfer my negative thoughts about myself to the cabbage, go for a walk with it and come home feeling better about myself.

‘If I see someone else its easy to start up a conversation with them about their cabbage, and they are better than dogs as they don’t bark, or start fights with other cabbages, it doesn’t even need feeding, or leave a mess on the pavement.

‘In fact afterwards, I can throw the cabbage away and feel that I have tossed my feelings out with it.’